9 Things to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

Life is better in summer. Fact. Our worries and woes of everyday life seem to slip away when the sun’s shining and everything just seems to work. Each year we swear, ‘this will be the greatest summer ever,’ as we eat, drink and party our way through the warmer months. This year, we mean it – it really will be the best yet, and we’ve got a plan. Read on to find out why you must add these 9 things to your summer bucket list immediately.

1. Go Interrailing

If you’ve not jumped on the interrail train yet (literally) make it a must this summer. Spend two weeks traveling through as many countries as you can fit in, and become accustomed to youth hostel culture.

You’ll make friends for life (at least that’s what you’ll think they are at 3am on a bar crawl in Riga), and you’ll visit some of the most instagramable places in the world.

With 29 countries to discover, what are you waiting for?

2. See a Film Outside

We’re all too familiar with the guilt that comes with spending a summer’s day inside watching TV, or god-forbid, at the cinema. We know it’s wrong, we know we should be out embracing the long nights and warmer temperatures, but sometimes we just want to binge on the big screen – is that such a crime? Well now, our prayers have been answered and there is a beautiful way to combine the British summer and cinematic viewing, two words - outdoor cinema.

Luna Cinema is the UK’s number one open air cinema with locations across the country, showing everything from Star Wars to Pretty Woman, check out what’s on near you this summer.

3. Take a trip down the world’s highest and longest tunnel slide

The ArcelorMittal Orbit was designed by sculptor, Sir Anish Kapoor and engineer, Cecil Balmond to mark the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. But what good’s the UK’s tallest public artwork if you can only look at it we hear you cry?

From 24th June you’ll be able to slide down the ArcelorMittal Orbit – yes, slide! Take an exhilarating 40-second trip weaving and lopping around the iconic structure. It’s tipped to be the London’s number one thing to do this year and for just £10 a ticket we think they might be right – we might need a little Dutch courage first though!

4. Celebrate all things Mancunian

Manchester Day is an annual event that celebrates everything great about the city. This year over 2,500 local people will come together to bring the carnival atmosphere to an audience of tens of thousands from Manchester and beyond. The mile long parade through the city might be the centrepiece of the day, but there’s plenty going on elsewhere to keep everyone entertained all day.

From open air performances to mouth-watering street food, Sunday 19th June is definitely a date for the diary, and why not pop into All Bar One for a celebratory cocktail and a spot of people watching?

5. Take to the Great Outdoors

Get back to nature with a night under the stars at some of the country’s best campsites. Whether you’re looking for a pitch with a pub, a site by the sea or a camp in the countryside, there are loads to choose from across the UK with more popping up all the time. It’s a great way to have an affordable trip away with friends and a chance to forget technology for a few days.

Find the prospect of a nylon shelter terrifying? Don’t worry, lots of sites now offer alternative accommodation from camping pods to old train carriages, you’ll be singing ging-gang-gooly round the campfire before you know it.

6. Go to a Festival Abroad

Festivals are great. The inevitable downpour at British festivals – not so much. This summer forget the wellies and take to the skies for a festival abroad. Head to Amsterdam for Mysteryland, the longest running electronic dance festival in the world; Budapest to Sziget, where this year’s headliners include; Rhianna, Muse and Sia; or to Belgium, for Tomorrowland where there will be a live video connection to their other festivals across the world from Mexico to India, Japan to Colombia.

With so many destinations and festivals to choose from, music lovers are spoilt for choice this summer. But don’t worry if you can’t make the finances stretch this summer, All Bar One’s Ibiza-style summer party will really put you in the party spirit.

7. Sunset Safari

London Zoo is an impressive attraction at any time of day, but it’s at dusk when the park really comes alive. With animal themed acrobatics, live talks, acoustic performances and exotic world food markets, this summer’s Sunset Safari is a must for the bucket list.

What’s more on selected evenings throughout the summer, the zoo is hosting Conservatory Comedy, an eclectic mix of comedy well-known names including, Katy Brand and Rufus Hound.

8. Try Something New

It’s easy to fall into the trap of doing the same thing day in day out and it can be difficult to break the routine. This time of year always brings a lift in mood and a spurt in motivation. Change with the seasons this summer and try something new.

From skydiving to rock climbing, or learning something new, a language, a hobby, or how to make your favourite cocktail. Make a promise to yourself to do something you’ve never done before.

9. Foodies Festival

Any event that has a ‘Feasting Tent’ sounds like a winner to us. Foodies Festival started as part of Edinburgh festival back in 2006 and since then become a part of culinary celebrations across the UK.

From Brighton to Bristol, London to Harrogate the traveling festival not only promotes fresh flavours and celebrity chefs, but it also supports local unsigned artists on their music stages and a theatre with show-stopping bakes.

Tickets start at just £8 for an adult making it even more tempting - well, that bikini body was looking unlikely anyway…